August 20, 2008 Playlist

  Isaac Hayes IS "Black Moses"!!
R.I.P.  Isaac Hayes
Aug 20, 1942 - Aug 10, 2008
"Shaft" the soundtrack album by Isaac Hayes (1971)
CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK
Isaac Hayes  "Shaft" (original soundtrack) 1971 (USA)
Shaft is the man!  The theme song from this (commercially) groundbreaking so-called "blaxploitation" film from 1971 is one of the most unlikely massive hits of all time.  Not only did it top the charts and make the accompanying soundtrack album (which is 70% instrumental) a platinum seller, it also made Isaac Hayes the first African-American to win an Oscar in a non-acting category (for Best Original Song.)  Decades later, the tune is still well known by young and old, despite (or more likely because of!) ridiculously dated lyrics like "They say that Shaft is a baaaad mutha . . . (Shut yo' mouth!) . . . But I'm talkin' about Shaft!  (And we can dig it!)"  In fact, the overwhelming success of this song pretty much turned Mr. Hayes from an icon of cool into something of a joke (long before he became the voice of South Park's "Chef".)  Which is too bad, as his orchestral wall of funk, mellow "rap" vocals and gospel infusions (and even his bald head and gold chains) were all major innovations in Soul music.  While Shaft represents his commercial apex, Hayes' true creative breakthrough was the 1969 LP Hot Buttered Soul, which is already a CAOTW.  Isaac Hayes passed away 10 days ago -- today would have been his 66th birthday.
Here's Ike performing another one of the few tunes with vocals from this album, the gospel-ish ballad "Soulsville".  But of course the song he will always be remembered for is the theme song from "Shaft" (this clip is from more recent decades, his 1973 Wattstax performance is linked here.)  Back before he became a solo star, Ike and his songwriting partner David Porter wrote countless classics for the Stax/Volt label, including the immortal "Soul Man" by Sam & Dave. 
 
  
(N) = New Release
 
Artist Song Album Year (label) Country
Isaac Hayes
(today would have been his 66th birthday)		 Theme From "Shaft" Shaft (original soundtrack)
CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK		 1971 USA
Led Zeppelin
(Robert Plant is 60 today)		 Ten Years Gone Physical Graffiti 1975 UK
Thin Lizzy
(Phil Lynott would have been 57 today)		 Still In Love With You (live) Live And Dangerous 1978 Ireland
Deep Purple
(Ian Gillan turned 63 yesterday)		 Bloodsucker In Rock 1970 UK
 
 
Appliances SFB
 Nothing SFB (N - reissue) rec.1984
(2008 Rockhaus)		 USA
C S S How I Became Paranoid Donkey (N) 2008 (Sub Pop) Brazil
Ladytron
 Burning Up Velocifero (N) 2008 (Nettwerk) UK
Experimental Dental School
 Jane Doe Loves Me Jane Doe Loves Me (N) 2008 (Cochon) USA
Free Kitten
(Kim Gordon, Julie Cafritz, Yoshimi) 		Sway Inherit (N) 2008 (Ecstatic Peace) USA/Japan
Indian Jewelry
 Hello! Africa Free Gold! (N) 2008 (We Are Free) USA
Augustus Pablo
 Earth Wind & Fire The Mystic World of Augustus Pablo: The Rockers Story (N - box set compilation) rec. 1979
(2008 Shanachie)		 Jamaica
   
 
Mission of Burma Devotion Dpro CD single (N - previously unreleased demos) rec. 1980
(2008 Matador)		 USA
When Dinosaurs Ruled The Earth Hypnotic Locks Not Noiice (N)
 2008 (Chalk Circle) USA
O! The Joy Conceivable Test Tube Baby Zen Mode (N)
 2008 (Distile) USA
Matmos Mister Mouth Supreme Balloon (N) 2008 (Matador) USA
Spectrum When Tomorrow Hits (Mudhoney) Spectrum Meets Captain Memphis: Indian Giver (N) 2008 (Birdman) UK
 
 
The Rick Ray Band Sgt. Pepperspray Violence Marred By Peace (N) 2008 (Neurosis) USA
Black Tempest Love Gutter Astral Pastoral (N) 2007 (noiseweb.co.uk) UK
Unimother 27
 What I Have Never Been Grin (N) 2008 (Pineal Gland) Italy
Astro Al
 Undead Kiss Psychedelic Drive-In (N) 2008 (self release) USA
 
 
Prasanna Iguana On A Funky Trail Electric Ganesha Land (N) 2008 (Susila) India/USA
Earth Hung From The Moon The Bees Made Honey In The Lion's Skull (N) 2008 (Southern Lord) USA
The High Places Universe 03/07 - 09/07 (N - compilation of singles & odd tracks) 2008 (Thrill Jockey) USA
Firewater Feels Like The End Of The World The Golden Hour (N) 2008 (Bloodshot) USA
Microscope Wilson Master Of Puppets (Metallica) myspace.com site (N) 2008 (self release) UK
   
  
Isaac Hayes Do Your Thing
   / The End Theme		 Shaft (original soundtrack)
CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK		 1971 USA
          
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